Australia Denounces Iran Amid Major Shipping Disruption, Fuel Prices Surge

Australia has strongly criticized Iran for its aggressive actions against Middle Eastern nations and commercial ships in the Gulf, following the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader by Israel and the US. These hostilities have steadily intensified.

During an extraordinary meeting, Jay Weatherill, Australia’s permanent representative to the International Maritime Organization (IMO), expressed concern: “Iran has turned a crucial global shipping route into a battleground of intimidation and strife.”

He cautioned that any meddling with ship operations or their routes endangers the lives of innocent sailors and undermines maritime safety and security.

Weatherill, who previously served as the Premier of South Australia, highlighted that the impact of these actions extends well beyond the Gulf region.

“The resulting turmoil has sparked severe global energy disruptions, leading to significant hikes in oil and fuel prices within Australia,” he noted.

“This is placing immense pressure on households, industries and supply chains.”

Inflation fears as fuel prices soar

Westpac yesterday updated its modelling on the economic impacts brought about by the conflict, on Wednesday, predicting petrol and diesel costs would increase by more than just the “direct pass-through” from higher crude oil prices, and fertiliser and jet fuel would also be affected. 

Treasurer Jim Chalmers last week warned the crisis in the Middle East could push inflation in Australia towards 5 per cent.

On Thursday, he will reportedly warn the figure could go even higher, wiping billions from the economy and impacting living standards for years.

He will tell the Australian Business Economists that “the prospect of inflation peaking in the high 4s or even higher this year is very real if oil remains above $US100 a barrel, according to The Sydney Morning Herald.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has called an emergency national cabinet meeting with the premiers on Thursday to thrash out the nation’s fuel supply woes.

More than 100 condemn Iran

The UAE motion, backed by more than 100 nations and several member organisations, called on the council to condemn Iran’s attacks, reaffirm freedom of navigation, urge all states to comply with international law and call for the protection of seafarers.

An extraordinary meeting was called for Wednesday and Thursday this week to debate it.

Russia, Iran and China all spoke out against the push to condemn Iran, citing mostly procedural reasons for not suspending IMO rules to hold the meeting earlier than would normally be allowed.

A spokesperson for Transport Minister Catherine King said the government was working with partners to “reinforce the importance of the safety and security of seafarers crossing the Strait of Hormuz”.

Trump wants ships, not just condemnation

The push to condemn Iran came as US President Donald Trump continued his campaign to coerce allies, including Australia, to go even further.

He’s spent days alternately demanding, begging and vaguely threatening countries such as the UK, France and the NATO defensive alliance as a whole to send warships to help secure the strait, which is critical to oil shipments from the Gulf.

“I wonder what would happen if we ‘finished off’ what’s left of the Iranian Terror State, and let the Countries that use it, we don’t, be responsible for the so called “Strait?’” he posted on Truth Social on Wednesday.

“That would get some of our non-responsive ‘Allies’ in gear, and fast!!!”

A string of refusals indicates his stock of European goodwill is low. 

French defence analyst François Heisbourg described the response to Trump’s cajoling as a “global raspberry”.

No close ally has come forward with immediate help. Australia won’t send one of its few warships to the region. Britain is flat-out refusing to be drawn into the war. France says the fighting would have to die down first. Others are non-committal. 

China, which is not an ally but was also asked to help, is ignoring Trump’s call.

“This is not Europe’s war. We didn’t start the war. We were not consulted,” European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said Tuesday.

– Reported with Associated Press

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